Abstract

This Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) thesis is aimed at contributing to the body of knowledge concerning generation Y undergraduate students studying an Asian studies degree and their career expectations. The research will highlight differences and similarities of these students’ interpretation of human security and international business concepts and their ideas on the level of relevancy these concepts impact on international business operations in Asia. By understanding the ideologies of a proportion of generation Y undergraduate students who are interested in Asia and potentially a career involving Asia, international businesses can better understand the needs of potential employees and their values.

The research topic investigates the importance of human security and international business ethics to generation Y’s career development, with specific references to careers in the Asian region. This is an important area of study as international businesses require effective and efficient human resource management techniques to ensure business sustainability.

A survey was conducted in the Australian National University (ANU)’s Asian studies faculty to capture the ideologies of current undergraduate students studying an Asian studies degree. A mixed research approach utilising qualitative and quantitative methods was used to ensure that the quantifiable responses were further justified by the participant’s qualitative statements.

The survey results highlighted the importance of human security and international business ethics concepts in contributing to the operations of international businesses in Asia. This is because the findings highlighted the need for international businesses to contribute to the local community to ensure sustainability and to be an ‘employer of choice’ for generation Y employees.

The research problem was addressed with the survey summarising that most undergraduate students who participated in the survey wanted an international career that involved conducting business with or in Asia. In determining their future career, the survey participants indicated that they highly value international business ethics and view human security as necessary to achieving equality between international businesses and development in Asia. The survey results highlighted that the need for business sustainability and accountability is a requirement to attracting those who are passionate about Asian society cultures and global advancement.

This research provides unique insight into business and international sustainability and contributes to knowledge by highlighting the opinions of a specific group of students specialising in a specific field of study and sharing similar discourses. However, the study of Asian societies offered by ANU’s Asian studies faculty contains courses specialising in many regions of Asia, hence, the Asian regions identified by the participants in the survey was broad. Therefore, further research should be conducted for specific regions in Asia so that specific research findings can be evaluated for individual regions to ensure in-depth understanding of this research area.